6 May (NucNet): Unit 2 of the Novovoronezh 2 nuclear power station in Voronezh oblast, western Russia, has supplied electricity to the country’s grid for the first time, Rosenergoatom, the operating subsidiary of state nuclear corporation Rosatom, has announced.

The 1,114-MW VVER-1200 plant, construction of which began in 2009, was brought to minimum controlled power level on 22 March and on 1 May reached a level of 240 MW

The unit’s power will now be gradually increased to 100% with full commissioning scheduled by the end of 2019, Rosenergoatom said.

Construction of Novovoronezh 2-2, a Generation III+ unit, began in July 2009. It will be the third unit of its type to be completed in Russia. The others were its sister unit, Novovoronezh 2-1, which began commercial operation in February 2017, and Leningrad 2-1, which began commercial operation in October 2018.